Accord

I have been with CIP since 1991 in Supported Living Partnerships. The program helps me live independently. They watch over me, but I pay my own bills and keep my own apartment clean. I appreciate that I can call them when I need help and if they can't help they can help me get my achievement going through someone else. I worked with Rob, he supports me 110% with whatever I do and if it doesn't work he helps me figure it out. Mike is the same and he solves the problem or will think about it and figure it out and help me figure out the best options.

My son, Spencer, has severe Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. When we lived in the Minneapolis area, CIP was a fantastic resource for us as well as an overall support system for me as a parent. The staff is extremely caring and competent. I will be forever Thankful to CIP for their wonderful help and services throughout those challenging - but wonderful - years with Spencer.
Thank you, CIP!
Marcia Klostermann, Parent

I've been with CIP for just over a year now and have recently become a volunteer to further support their narrative. This organization is truly committed to aiding people whom they support in obtaining the best possible outcome. I am proud to say I stand by them and what they contribute.

Our experience with Community Involvement Programs (CIP) is with their Employment and Community Supports. We selected CIP for our daughter in 2007 after she graduated from the transition program. The first attraction to CIP was that they were community based. There was not a center that they sat in all day. They were out in the community doing activities and volunteering.

Also CIP has a high priority in finding employment for the individuals that want to work. A customized discovery approach is used to develop customized jobs in the community for at least minimum wage. To ensure success of the employee, they offer on-the-job training and on-going support. Our daughter is a great example of their commitment in finding and maintaining individualized employment. She has been working for the same employer since 2009.

When we started CIP in 2007, we have always been impressed with the quality of their employees. The employees that work with our daughter are not just staff, they are her friends.

After interviewing a number of adult day programs 9 years ago, we felt that CIP would be the best fit.
After nine years ,we continue to be more than satisfied and thankful.
We have excellent communication with staff.
However, what is most important to us is that our daughter is happy.
She loves the staff that work directly with her.
She chooses to do the volunteer route versus employment. She takes great pride in helping others.
The staff is very accommodating in letting her choose her options.
We recently have CIP managing her waiver. Again, the communication is great.
They are also timely in getting back to us.

CIP of Minneapolis has demonstrated nothing but exemplary professional performance over the time I have worked with them (about 20 years). My son is autistic, and CIP, in the face of considerable financial challenges, has been able to provide assistance for both living skills and job opportunities. Because of CIP, my son has been able to avoid group homes and function independently. CIP has taught my son the social skills necessary for independent living, and provided critical help in securing meaningful employment. Notably, CIP monitors client job performance over time, and acts as an advocate for the client when difficulties arise. Simply put, and given a very modest budget, CIP offers hope and help to that segment of society that so desperately needs help. They are not doing it for the money; they are doing it because it's the right and necessary thing to do.

I joined the CIP family in November of 2003. I have been in and out of group homes for a couple decades now (I am 46 years old), and nothing really worked out for me.

CIP makes sure that its participants/clients are well taken care of. We had weekly visits by a staff person (who is qualified and proficient in matters of mental illness) and I received help when I needed it or wanted it.

I have been in and out of hospitals for mental health reasons over time, and CIP never turned its back on me, like I have been done to before at other similar residences. They had a nurse who came buy every week to make sure that I was taking my medication as prescribed and head off another trip to the hospital when I was down and in trouble mentally.

If it wasn't for CIP, I would no longer be in this world. They have been a home to me, and I am eternally grateful for them.

If I were to pick one item where they could improve upon (hard to do because they do many things very well), it would be nice to do a monthly outing for all the residents, like to see a movie or whatnot. Already, they have taken us at my house to the State Fair last year and it was a blast. However, as happens in many non-profits, money can be a problem.

CIP also helps me spiritually as well. Jaime, the CIP volunteer coordinator, hooked me up with a nice retired couple who take me to church every Sunday. Can't beat that!

In summary, CIP is an awesome non-profit, and if there were more of them in the world, we would all benefit greatly.

Guy

As an occasional volunteer at Community Involvement Programs I have been impressed with the way that staff members greet each family and individual with warmth and sincerity. Just by their demeanor they show respect that is clearly reflected in the attitude of people who may have been hesitant to seek help. Staff members help people gain the confidence to face and resolve their own concerns and to identify, then pursue, a plan that meets their unique situation.

I had a great experience volunteering with CIP. The organization and the staff were so nice and welcoming. I would highly recommend to volunteering here.

Volunteered with CIP in different locations (Employment services & Admin). The volunteer experience was absolutely incredible. A great work environment!! They have a positive culture and all the people there are so nice. You can gain some experience and perform community service. Highly recommend!

In the face of severe mental illness and homelessness I was offered housing and mental health services via Community Involvement Programs. Between 2007 and 2013 I experienced serious and flagrant violations of my personal, psychiatric and basic human rights. The Executive Director permitted inaccurate record keeping, verbal abuse by staff, primarily the Director of Mental Health Services and her subordinate assistant. This assistant, who has no medical or mental health training, oversees the mental health services of housing recipients and withdrew all my supports without explanation.

Despite the involvement of the mental health ombudsman I was unable to access my records, and the ones I did get were filled with inaccuracies, lacked signatures, contained records of another individual, and in one document my therapist verified that her signature had been forged.

Powerful organization, however. Not one of my documented complaints was acted on. Mentally ill persons lack the currency necessary to access real protection.

Keep your loved ones away from this organization.